Writes Lewis: "The north Londoners are eyeing up versatile England defender Lescott, 31, to help solve their injury crisis at the back.

"Turkish club Besiktas have already moved to offer Lescott some regular first-team action, but he would prefer to stay in England as he seeks to force his way into Roy Hodgson’s World Cup plans.

"City’s official line is that they are unwilling to allow the centre-half, who can also play at left-back, to leave as they have a defensive crisis of their own while competing in four competitions, but their position is understood to be weakening.

They claim: "City were thought to be frontrunners to sign the 17-year-old after Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi last month claimed the forward was finalising a switch to England.

"However, he is now on the verge of signing for Sporting Lisbon, according to reports in his homeland.

"Sporting are willing to fork out £250,000 and add-ons - an offer which exceeds domestic rivals Porto's £210,000 bid.

...talkSPORT...

"Iheanacho, who is on the books at Taye Academy, was the star of last month's Under-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates where he scored six goals and was named the player of the tournament as Nigeria claimed the title.

"City were not the only English side to express an interest in him - both Chelsea and Arsenal have monitored him, while PAOK Salonika, Udinese and Monaco were also in the running to sign the striker."

That's it for today! As always, if there's any truth behind any transfer speculation, we'll have it here first on mcfc.co.uk!